Tag: bag of tracks

St. Vincent – “Digital Witness”

This song has invaded my life. It captured me, and gave Stockholm syndrome bad. From the distorted horns, to the infectious vocal melodies, St. Vincent’s latest single from her recent self-titled album is, without a doubt, my favorite song I’ve heard this year. I realize I was late to the party, but boy am I glad to be here. The video is a beautiful piece of artwork, full of color with St. Vincent as a modern day Venus. You need to hear this song. It will change you.

Jack White – “High Ball Stepper”

Among everyone’s idiotic April Fool’s Day shenanigans, myself included, there was one piece of news that was no joke. Jack White announced his new album Lazaretto, and teased us with this fuzzy instrumental track. “High Ball Stepper” is a piercing wave of guitar gold, that only allows you to breath during intermissions of reversed piano. Jack sounds hungry here. For now, I can only hope that the rest of Lazaretto will be this aggressive. I personally didn’t love Blunderbuss, it had a handful of good tracks, but it was too bogged down with slow country tunes to really grab me. Lazaretto’s first official single will be recorded, pressed, and released on Record Stored Day, and the album in it’s entirety will be out sometime in June.

Liars – “Mess on a Mission”

“Mess on a Mission” is the first single from Liars’ seventh studio album, Mess. Prior to Mess, I had never heard Liars, but their dance-punk sound with singer Angus Andrew’s whinny vocals create caught me in an evil trance. It’s dark. It’s fun. It’s catchy. It’s different. I’ve given the whole album a few listens, and the somber melodies paired with these punchy beats create for something unique and memorable.

Today, we have three new releases, by three Orlando acts. Each feature a distinct sound, worlds away from the rest. Enjoy.

Pasty Cline – “But A Phase”

Pasty Cline is becoming quite a staple on The Vinyl Warhol. “But A Phase” is a familiar sound with the same DIY recording and one-man-against-the-world attitude. Here, Lawhorne’s voice is twangier than usual, evoking the California gold rush. The song was recently featured on a split cassette with Tremolo Ghosts, put out by Liquid Library. With quick picking and a thumping beat, Pasty Cline sounds as if he’s riding the rails in search a fortune that’s long gone.

There’s a whole album waiting at Pasty Cline’s Bandcamp. Side-effects may include: lactating.

Witch Kings – “I Can’t Tell”

Witch Kings’ debut single is a sultry slow jam with darkness at it’s core. We’re greeted with wispy guitar tones that dive slowly into the first verse. Singer John Waters’ vocals are deep and haunting, his diction reminiscent of Lou Reed (see: “Cheeesssttt”). Waters himself seems confused. He cries, he laughs, he’s high, he’s low. This uncertainty only adds to the song’s overall haziness. Witch Kings features members from The Welziens and The Haroux, but “I Can’t Tell” is in a vain different from both. This first release was a surprise. I can only wonder what other surprises are in store.

Keep an eye on Witch King’s Bandcamp. There is much, much more to come.

Fortune Howl – “Interzone Export”

The video for Fortune Howl’s “Interzone Export” is both beautiful and disturbing. We follow a figure (you can’t even call him a person) through an eerie world void of life and color. He trudges through a swamp to stop at dead stumps and piles of ruble, longing for the lively world he used to know. The video perfectly reflects the song’s emotion. Themes of isolation plague every element of sound. The music and vocals give me chills. Fortune Howl moans out, “Everything is gone, but I’m still here.” I need an adult.